What's in my Shower?

Bic Soleil Lady Gel | Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo 500ml | Herbal Essences Colour Me Happy Shampoo | Good Things Soothing Exfoliating Scrub | Good Things Stay Clear Purifying Cleanser | Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel | Wilkinson Sword Extra Two Beauty Razor

I thought i'd do a what's in my shower post today as now i'm getting more into my skincare and the Summer months are (finally) upon us, i thought i'd share what i use on a daily basis. These are, obviously, only things i use in the shower. I haven't included anything i use post shower - which i may do at a later date, as my (spray) conditioner and body lotion are kept in my bedroom.

I'm currently dabbling between two shampoos - my usual Herbal Essences jobby and my new favourite, the Aussie Miracle Moist. It's so light and fruity yet it gives a real good clean and leaves your hair feeling well looked after and not heavy or weighed down. The Herbal Essences is definitely a thicker consistency than the Aussie but the gel is super easy to wash away and doesn't leave the hair feeling untreated or weighed down.

Like i've previously raved, i'm currently loving the Good Things range. In my shower i keep my soothing exfoliator and my purifying cleanser as i use both on a regular basis. I use my gel cleanser every time i shower, after i've washed my hair and it helps to keep my skin feeling clean. The exfoliator is used less frequently, but every time before i shave my legs and occasionally when i feel like pampering myself a little more. I also really like Soap & Glory's Flake Away, which i also use but was trying out Good Things for the time being.

I adore Body Shop shower gel and this is my current favourite scent, it's a gorgeous thick cleansing gel and makes me feel like i'm giving myself a good clean. The smell is just delicious and stays on the skin for a little while after, but not in an annoying, overpowering way - it just leaves you feeling and smelling clean.

I actually bought this shaving gel at Poundland as i wanted something inexpensive but that will do the job, and i'm super happy with this purchase. It has an odd scent but i think that's just the aloe vera, it's certainly growing on me and the consistency is amazing. It's thick and sticks well to the skin but is super easy to shave off. However, i'm not such a fan of the razors which i also picked up in Poundland. The razor is really small and i don't feel like it's the greatest of shavers, however for those inbetweeny days the work a treat and are a cheap alternative to a lot of options in the drugstore.

K|xo

What's In My Bag?

 Bag | Zara

I adore this bag, and YES again i bought into the hype, but it's honestly love at first sight but come on - it's not as if i went STRAIGHT for the hype, i could have gotten the beige colour but i went for something a little more me and honestly the other colour wouldn't stay clean for more than five minutes with me! It's wonderfully spacious without being huge, i find it's the perfect size and the strap the perfect length when it's on it's longest setting. Mostly, i love the colour and i love the texture - i love red bags and find they're a statement piece but go with so much, i wear them with a lot so it wasn't too out there for me and the feel is so soft - somewhere between a suede and leather feel, just so soft! It's honestly beautiful and can say it totally lives up to the hype, i recommend it and for the price it's perfect!

 Traveleaze Travel Sickness Tablets | Nurofen Tablets | Plasters | Boots Make Up Pouch | Soap & Glory Hand Maid Antibacterial | Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie | H&M Mini Hairbrush & Mirror | Bassetts Cherry Drops | Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Lotion | Burt's Bees Lip Balm | Cath Kidston Camera Case | Nikon Coolpix S6200 | EOS Lipbalm in Summer Fruits | Blackberry Bold 9700 | Kleenex Tissues | Cath Kidston Purse | Paperchase Notepad | Bic Pen | Haribo Tangfastics | Totes Umbrella | Primark Sunglasses Case | ASOS Sunglasses | Sennheiser Headphones | Totes Shopper

Similarly to my make up bag, i like to think of my bag as 'what if' kinda dealy. It has everything i'll ever need but i obviosuly add and subtract things considering on the day or situation. I always, always, always carry travel sickness tablets, Nurofen, plasters and at least my Burt's Bee's lipbalm as these are super essential for me - mainly cause i'm a sicky, clumsy, dry lipped kinda kid.


Obviously i always carry my purse and my camera, for just incases - can't be a blogger without a camera, a lesson learnt from one of the best! My phone's never too far behind but it rarely finds it's way to my bag, that's far too far away from my reach. I love the little Totes set - my umbrella and shopper - an umbrella is an essential for anyone who lives in the UK and the shopper is super handy for when i need an extra pair of hands. Never too far from my sunglasses either, and the case is just adorable for £1.50!


I love the Soap & Glory handbag products, i honestly can't get enough of the Hand Maid scent - it's just delicious and the Hand Food is an essential for so many, and it ain't for no reason! Never go anywhere without my mini hairbrush as my locks can be a little unruly and Cherry Drops are my fave! As in my make up bag post, i raved about the Berry Smoothie Lip Butter, well here's my second edition - i love it that much!


As a budding journalist i make it my duty to always carry a pen and paper around with me, for just incases and blossoming ideas. If i don't write things down when i think of them, they're lost forever so that's for those kinda purposes! I also don't go far without tissues, a sugar fix and my headphones.. although i don't often carry my ipod these days unless i need it as it's on it's last legs and the battery doesn't last that long, but sod's law usually says that if i need my ipod i won't have my headphones, so now they live in my bag to stop those kinda situations happening.


So, that's what's in my bag.. What's in yours?

K|xo

What's In My Make Up Bag?

Spring Bouquet Cosmetics Bag | Cath Kidston

I like to think of my make up bag as a 'just n case' make up bag. I'm the kinda gal who likes to lounge in the mornings, and until i get my own place and my own space (ha!) where i can have a make up/dressing up table, i will continue to do my make up from the warmth of my bed. I mean, why get up when i have everything at my fingertips. So, depending on how my day's gonna pan out; what i'm doing, how i'm feeling, etc, there's something for every occasion from full face foundation to a little concealer.

Canesten Oasis Sachets | Cath Kidston Mirror | Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer in Light 02 | Garnier Miracle Skin Perfecter in Light | Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51 | Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara | Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara | Benefit The Porefessional | Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti | MAC Lipstick in Twig | Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair | Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie | Loreal Rouge Caresse in Dating Coral | 17 Hide Away Concealer in Fair | Panoxyl 2.5 Gel | Collection 2000 Extreme Coloured Lengthening Mascara | Virgin Vie Eyelash Curler | CK Shock Sample | L'eau De Chloe Sample | Comb | Ms. Make Up Tweezers | QVS Tweezers

I've spent a long time whittling down my favourite make up to end up with this refined lot. So, starting from the left; without going into too much detail, i've been plagued for a long time with urine infections but we're talking the worst of the worst, cripplingly painful kinda worst and, despite the antibiotics, these Canesten sachets have been a saviour so this way, i always have them at hand no matter where i am. I have three concealers for different coverages and different combinations - Soap & Glory's Kick Ass for when i need something a little heavier, but maybe don't want to wear such a full coverage foundation, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection (i caved to the hype!) usually for combining with foundation and it's staying power is amazing and 17's Hide Away for days when all i want is some concealer and lashings of mascara, which is most days.


Sometimes i'm feeling a little worse for wear, or my skins screaming for some cover up - this is when i lean towards the Bourjois, it's a better coverage than anything else i own and for something inbetween i go for Garnier's BB Cream. I love that product, it gives a nice even light to buildable coverage, and evens out any redness or scarring.


I'm an utter mascara junkie, so it's not unusual for me to have multiple on the go. These two are my current and forever favourites - Soap & Glory is a new discovery and Benefit has been a favourite of mine forever, right up until i became a student and could no longer justify the price. They have huge brushes and a gorgeous formula. Since the brushes on those two are so large i use Collection 2000's mascara for my bottom lashes, since the wand is considerably smaller and it has great colour pay off to define my eyes - as i don't use eyeliner.


Benefit's POREfessional is a pretty new adoration for me, since i only received it in my Benefit goody box, written about here. I've never been one for primer, but i love this product. It glides on smoothly still allowing my skin to breathe - a huge deal, in my book - and keeps my make up put for days i know it needs to hold out.


Lets just get this out the way now - i LOVE lip products, and am constantly on the quest for my perfect products. This last few months has really been a good result for said quest as i seem to have found my four favourite lippys which all now have a firm home in my make up bag - two Revlon Colourburst Lip Butters and a MAC lipstick and a L'oreal Rouge Caresse. Revlon's Berry Smoothie is my favourite product EVER, which is why i also have one in my bag! It's just the perfect colour for me - my lips but EVEN better and a little deeper than something i would have ever gone for before, but it works for me and it's my go-to. Tutti Frutti is for when i want something a little jazzier, it's what i refer to as my 'safe orange'. Zoe has made me want to be able to rock an orange lip, but it just ain't happening so this will have to do and frankly it's perfect for me, it love it too. The Rouge Caresse just adds a little colour, for a lighter lip and it's super moisturising so it's for when i'm doing something 'nice' but can't be bothered for a lip product basically! Now, Twig is just.. beautiful. It's the perfect day to night colour - great to wear during the day, as an easy pop of colour but equally as nice as an evening shade.


The rest are just daily essentials, my Panoxyl 2.5 prescription for my plaguing spots, a comb for a little backcombing, tweezers, eyelash curlers (ESSENTIAL) and some perfume samples for when i forget my faves.


So, there we have it. My make up bag.. What's in yours?

K|xo</

REVIEW: Big Wide World of Make Up Remover

I am a complete make up remover virgin, cue the gasps. I've always been a make up wipe kind of a gal but i've recently been having trouble with my eyelashes. They seem to have become fairly delicate and with my make up wipe includes a bit of rubbing, scrubbing and heavy wiping. So, i thought it was about time i tried something a little gentler for my eyes.

Shirley recommended in a recent video a Garnier Eye Make Up Remover, but i'd seen some not so great reviews about it online so tried it's sister product, the 2 in 1 Simply Essentials Make Up Remover. This had some fairly good reviews after some research and i know Garnier is a good skincare brand.

This is one of those shake the two liquids together jobbys, stating that the blue liquid at the top is the make up removing oil and the clear liquid at the bottom is a cleansing water. I did not like this product, in fact so much so i've already gotten rid of it after only two or three attempts. For starters, the bottle comes with a really awkward opening which means that every time i try to empty some onto the cotton pad it goes everywhere and makes my hands, and the bottle, feel very greasy. That's another i don't like, the feel is horrible like i said greasy and slimey. It says it's supposed to be a soothing make up remover however, when i use this on the rest of my face i feel like it irritates my skin - especially under my eyes, and i feel it makes them sensitive. The only good thing about this product, for me, is that it doesn't take any rubbing to get my mascara off just wiping but i wouldn't say it does it quickly. Overall, i really didn't like this product more so because of the fact i feel it irritates my skin, in fact so much so that even the next morning my under eyes were still sore. Ouch.

I've always been interested in the Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover and it has rave reviews, so i couldn't not give this a go.

This product is also branded as being soothing and thankfully i can report that i would agree with that. Like the Garnier, it's also a shaking together style product with what looks like an oil on the top. It's soft on the eyes and doesn't feel like it's damaging to the skin, which is much more pleasing than the Garnier product. Unlike the other, it was much more controlled being put on the cotton pad and i didn't have a problem with getting product everywhere. I have to say, i felt that it took a long time to get my make up off and although i can't report whether it would take waterproof mascara off, from the way it took off my heavily mascaraed eyes i would say that either it wouldn't or it would take a significant amount of time. I like, with this product, that you don't have to rub or scrub at your eyes as it's so soothing, you definitely just need to sweep but like i said it did take a while to get it completely off my eyes, especially. After using all over my face, like it states it can be used for, it left an oily residue on my skin despite being well shaken before distributed on the cotton pad, which i really don't like as i felt i needed to use a make up wipe over my face after which defeats the point for me.

So, do you have any profound make up removers you think i simply must try?

K|xo

JolieBox via EssieButton

One my lovely blogging buddies Estée, also known as Essie Button, held a giveaway with the chance of winning a french Joliebox and i was lucky enough to be one of the winners of said giveaway! I've been desperate to try one of these beauty boxes for ages, but i just can't justify it to myself to part with the money when i'm already on a student budget, so this was a great way to see what all the hype was about. From receiving this i can truly say that i now understand the hype!


I love this box and think it was a great way to ease me into the beauty box world. There was a lovely variety of products and means i can try out some of the famed french skincare. My box contained: Clarins Gloss Prodige in 04 Candy, Lierac Energising Smoothing Cream Early Wrinkle Correction, Natura Leg & Foot Cream with Cocoa Butter, Science et Mer Facial Toner and Science et Mer Makeup Remover for Face and Eyes. I'm really happy with everything in the box and can't wait to test it all out.


The Clarins gloss is a gorgeous dusky pink but is still a gorgeous intense colour, it's smooth and glossy without being sticky and the doefoot applicator is great for application. I love this product and the colour is right up my street as it reminds me a little of my favourite Revlon Lip Butter, Berry Smoothie. I think i might take this with me on holiday in August, as i don't wear much make up but sometimes it's nice to wear a little colour for dinner and it's the perfect travel size. I always know that you're supposed to take care of your skin from an early age but, as i've said before, i'm lazy! So i'm really looking forward to giving this Lierac cream a go, as i've found my normally normal combination skin has been a little dry lately. I've heard of the brand name before - probably through Youtube somewhere, so it's nice to be able to try something famed in the blogging community. I'm not particularly a huge leg and foot cream kinda gal but now the Summer is coming and i'm shaving and getting my legs, and feet, out more often this might be quite nice to try out. It's got cocoa butter in it which i love the smell of and love the feel of so i'm looking forward to trying this - it's also a full size product which i was really impressed with. What i'm probably most excited about is the Science et Mer products as i love toner and use is daily, and i'm also looking for a makeup remover i'm happy with as i'm fed up of scrubbing at my eyes with wipes! So these i'm really looking forward to trying out.


Overall, i'm really pleased with everything and even more pleased that it all came from my lovely friend Essie! She's really wonderful and absolutely hilarious so please, please check out her blog and Youtube channel - both linked above!

K|xo

REVIEW: Revlon Colourstay Nail Enamel

Revlon Colourstay Longwear Nail Enamel in 090 Sorbet

So, i really don't like to talk bad about a product but i also don't want to mislead you on something i've bought to review. I was really looking forward to trying out this Revlon Colourstay polish as i'd heard great things and really liked the idea of a gel like formula. However, after letting the second coat of this dry i was really unhappy with the result - it was streaky and you could still see my nail through the polish, not to mention how difficult it was to apply. The brush is so small it's hard to cover any area and the consistency is so gloopy it's hard to get the right amount of product on the nail, as it usually ends up as too much. I didn't even wait to see how long this lasted as after i'd let the second coat dry, and became unhappy with the result, i took it off and painted back to my favourite polish of the moment - Essie's Splash of Grenadine, which i can't rate highly enough. So, if you've had a better experience with these polishes please do let me know because i feel very disheartened!

K|xo

#OOTD The Graduation Dress

So as you read this i'll be well on my way to Southampton to escort my Mr to his graduation, passing with First Class Honours. I'm so, so proud of him and decided it was only write to buy myself a new outfit so he could feel proud to have me on his arm!


I popped to Cambridge to run some errands and decided to have a look through the sales whilst i was there. I was there pretty early so it wasn't the usual brawl that occurs when the sale season arises, i could browse the Topshop sale without feeling elbows in my back and having steps on my toes. It was bliss! I picked up a heap of dresses in different colours, shapes and sizes to try on and this was the first one i tried and i instantly fell in love! I knew what i was looking for and originally i was after a drop hem dress but because i have such long legs, all the drop hems that i tried just looked far too short on me at the front - almost indecent. I found that this gorgeous little number was the best of both worlds, it's flowy like the drop hem style but it's not too girly for my style and fits me perfectly. I've never owned anything from Love before, mainly because i can't usually afford their prices but also because it's never really on my radar - however, this was originally £40 but was half price down to £20 and that's a price i can handle. It's super comfortable and i just love the way it looks on me, it makes me feel really good about myself and also gives me confidence which i'm always looking for in an outfit.


After trying it on i knew i wanted to take the coral colour from the dress and pair it with that sort of colour palette. I already owned the bright red clutch from Jonny's brother's wedding and i knew that i wanted some sort of little jacket in red to bring everything together. I always find that navy's hard to pair with black, so my leather jacket was out and the rest of my jackets are either black or informal so when i saw this gorgeous little number in New Look i knew it was to be! I think if i wanted to dress this down a little my leather jacket could work but for a more formal event i wanted to do my best to be the best girlfriend i could be!

 Dress: Love Via Topshop | Jacket: New Look | Bag: Peacocks | Necklace: Topshop (Old) | Belt: New Look | Shoes: Topshop (Old) | Bracelets: H&M/John Lewis/Gift | Nail Varnish: Model's Own Champagne | Hair Doughnut: Amazon

I forgot to paint my finger nails for these images but my fingers will be the same colour as my toes for the big event and i decided to get my hair out my face, putting it up in this hair doughnut. I love this look at the minute, it's far more grown up and sophisticated than a pony tail and is an easy option if you don't want your hair down. I'm trying to grow my hair and it's it at one of those annoying stages where it's too short but not long enough, so i love this style. It's also great for combatting all weathers, great for the sun so it's off your face and it means if it's windy and/or raining, like usual, it's not going to get messy with a spritz of hairspray.

I just added some simple shoes and simple jewellery and voila! An outfit fit for the Mr's graduation.

K|xo

REVIEW: Lifeplan Aloe Vera Gel

Since watching Kate's video on her amazing QVC bargain gel set, i've been wanting to try some Aloe Vera gel for my legs, mainly for the purpose after i've shaved my legs as i have fairly sensitive skin on my pins and the razor often leaves them pretty sore and red.


Aleo Vera Gel is known, and used, for it's soothing and moisturising properties. It helps to calm angry skin down and soften it too. It's good for dry skin complaints, sunburn and minor burns, stretch marks and angry, chapped or peeling skin. Basically, it's the God product for all skin complaints, and will come in very handy during the Summer months.

Lifeplan Aloe Vera Gel

This Lifeplan Aloe Vera Gel can be picked up in Boots for £6.15, for 200ml of product. I've been using this a every time after shaving my legs and where usually my skin feels sore and angry for a day or so after shaving, this soothed the skin and helped it to feel softer, quicker. I'd even go as far to say that this has revolutionised my shaving routine. Like i said before, the skin on my legs is very sensitive and usually is sore for hours and sometimes days, but with one application with this it was soothed and moisturised in a few minutes. I could touch the skin without any problems and it felt like nothing had happened. In fact, it's become such a staple i plan to take on holiday with me to keep sore legs at bay. Anyone who has never tried using this after shaving, i highly recommend you go out and buy some NOW, i think it's that amazing.

K|xo

Seed Beads

I've had my eye on this necklace to replace the sad loss of my beautiful pastimes beaded number. When i saw that Dorothy Perkins were having a 30% off sale i was on it, as it cost me the same including p&p as the necklace itself so i was sold!

Dorothy Perkins Cream Seedbead Plait Necklace

Something that this piece has over my previous one is it's gorgeous neutral colour. My last was purple and although beautiful, it didn't go with everything so i'm happy that this'll go with much more - sometimes during the day but as a fab statement piece for night time. I really love how it's delicate but how it also stands out beautifully. I can't wait to use this to jazz up an outfit, it'll be perfect for Spring, Summer & Autumn but also great to brighten up an outfit during Winter. 


I'm just glad to have some sort of replacement and this is the closest i could find!

K|xo

REVIEW: Splash of Grenadine

Ever since i first dipped my toe into the Essie ocean i've fallen head over heels for their polish. The colour range, the consistency, the quick drying time - everything about this polish is just perfect for me. I thought things couldn't get any better, in my eyes, for this brand but that was until i (finally) came across the Essie Diffusion Line in Boots. I was happy with the consistency before hand, but my oh my has it improved more than i thought it could! The polish is more opaque, it's thicker and it still has it's ultra quick drying time which sells me every time. I also just have to mention the incredible new brush on these polishes, they're wider and thicker and you can coat your whole nail in one to two fail sweeps. They're amazing, and i cannot recommend them to you guys enough - i honestly suggest you go to your local Essie stand, in Boots or Superdrug, and check them out. Although we don't have the entire collection here, the Diffusion Line has it's best sellers and more than enough colour range.

Essie Splash of Grenadine

Now, the shade i'm reviewing today is Splash of Grenadine and this is fast becoming one of my all time favourite colours. I have never seen anything like this shade, as it's the perfect mid point between Lilac and Pink. Now, i just cannot get on with Lilacs. I love them and i want to, but i just can't. They're so pale they make me look like i have dead hands and they streaky, hard to apply so i just stay away at all costs. That was until i saw Splash of Grenadine on Lily Pebbles. I just knew i had to have it, and when i saw it instore it was in my basket faster than the speed of light. It's just the most beautiful, unique colour and i adore it. I know i'm going to be wearing this all year 'round, and will be repurchased again and again. It's creamy without being streaky, it's super easy to apply and looks great on fingers and toes. I highly recommend this!


Have you tried Essie yet?

K|xo